Power steering mechanism



7 9 G. T. SMITH 2,356,492

I POWER STEERING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 25, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug 22, 1944.

e. T. SMITH POWER STEERING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 25, 1941 Z] wuemm 7.67m TH QMY IMP

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I(IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Patented Aug. 22, 1944 UNITED. STATES PATENT, OFFICE POWER STEERING MECHANISM George Tucker Smith, Richmond, va assignor to Automatic Shifters, Inc., Richmond, Va., a corporation of Virginia Application February 25, 1941, Serial No. 380,563

'39 Claims. ('c1. lat-79.2)

This invention relates to power steering mechanisms for motor vehicles.

As is well known, the gear ratio provided between the steering wheels and the dirlgible front wheels of motor Vehicles is decided more or less on a compromise basis so as to provide as great a leverage as possible for steering when a car is traveling very slowly without making it necessary for the operator to rotate the wheel excessively when the vehicle is traveling at a reasonable speed,- very little steering. efiort being required under the latter conditions and a relatively small gear ratio being suflicient to enable the operator to easily steer the vehicle. Although the compromise arrangement referred to provides for a relatively high'gear ratio, a substantial efiort is required for turning the steering wheel when a vehicle is stationary or moving very slowly, for example, when the vehicle is being parked in a limited space or being driven out of a limited parking space. If the gear ratio employed were suflicient to enable an operator to turn the steering wheel with little efiort. when the vehicle is stationary or moving very slowly, it would require a very substantial turning movement of the steering wheel for a relatively small angleof turning of .the front wheels of the vehicle when the ve.

hicle istraveling at a reasonablespeed. Conversely, if the gear ratio were designed to reduce the degree of turning'of the steering wheel and still permit suchturning to be carried out with little'eifort when the vehicle is underway, thegear ratio would be insufficient to 'permit the turning of the steering wheel when the vehicleis stationary or moving very slowly.

With the foregoing in mind, an important object of the present invention is to provide a novel type of power mechanism controlled by the steering wheel of a vehicle for. turning the front wheels of the vehicle, thus materially reducing the efiort required on the part of the operator for a given turning movement of the front wheels oi the vehicle under any conditions.

A further object is to provide a novel steering mechanism of the character referred to wherein either power or manual steering may be automatically provided under different predetermined conditions.

A further object is to provide a power steering mechanism wherein powerwill be automatically 'employed upon predetermined conditions such as vehicle speed or when the vehicle gear set is in low .or reverse ears. and wherein under all conditions other than the predetermined conditions referred to the steering is manually accomplished system. I

through the turning of thesteering wheel, whereby the turning oi the steering wheel requires little eflecting the steering of the front wheels of a motor vehicle and to provide novel means for transmitting movement of the steering wheel to the valve mechanism, when power steering is to be efiected, and ,for directly transmitting manual movement of the steering wheel to the steering mechanism when manual steering is to be efiected.

A further object is to provide a novel mechanism for changing over from power to manual steering, and to provide novel. means for causing the fluld'pressure motor to follow-up with respect to parts of the mechanism when manual steering iseflected, thus eliminating any drag incident to movement of the piston in the motor when the'front-wheels are being manually steered. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a vehicle steering mechanism, parts being broken away and parts being shown in section,

Figure 2 is a {rent elevation of the same,

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the lever mechanism 01' the present invention, associated elements being connected thereto and being broken away,

Figure 4 is an enlarged central longitudinal sectional view through the steering motor and valve mechanism,

Figure 5 is a section on line 55 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic representation of an electrical control system for the mechanism, and,

Figure 7 is a similar view showing a modified Referring to Figure l the numeral l0 designates a conventional steering column having a steering post ll therein provided at its upper end with the usual steering wheel l2. At the lower end of the steering column a conventional gear housing i3 is provided and is secured to a stationary portion of the vehicle such as a frame member i4. The gear housing l3 contains any desired type of gear reduction means, such as a worm and pinion o."- the like (not shown) for mechanically connecting, and reducing the turning ratio, between the steering post II and the takeoff shaft I 5 of the steering mechanism. These elements are conventional as stated, and form no part per se of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5, it will be noted that a pair of lever arms l6 and 11 have their upper ends mounted on the shaft l5. The lever arm i6 is keyed to the shaft l5 as at i8 .(Figure 5) and a nut l9 retains the two lever arms in position with respect to the shaft i5. The lower end of the lever I1 is provided with a ball 20 mounted in the usual-socket 2| carried by a conventional drag link 22. This drag link transmits movement to the front wheels of I the motor vehicle in the usual manner.

The lever arm I6 is provided with a pair of stop pads 23 extending across the plane of the lever 11 and arranged on opposite sides of this lever as shown in Figure 3. Adjacent opposite edges of the lever l1, the stop pads 23 have their inner faces provided with upwardly converging faces 24 for a purpose to be described. The upper limits ofthe converging faces 24 are spaced apart a distance somewhat greater than the width of the adjacent portion of the lever arm l1 and accordingly, with the parts in the position shown in Figure 3, the lever arm i6 is adapted to partake of limited. turning movement on the shaft l5 with relation to the lever arm l1. As will become apparent below, this limited turningmovement is utilized for controlling the steering motor to be described, and when manual steering is to be effected, the lever arms l6 and I1 are locked together to operate as a unit in a manner also to be described.

A plate 25 is mounted against-the outer face of the lever arm l1 and is vertically slotted as at 25 to receive a rib 21 formed integral with the lever arm l1. A screw 23 retains the plate 25 in the position described. It will be apparent that the plate 25 is free to move longitudinally with respect to the lever arm l1, that is, radially with respect to the axis of the shaft l5, but is fixed against any other movement relative to the lever arm IT. The plate 25 is provided with opposite projections having wedge faces 23 converging upwardly to correspond to the upward convergence of the faces 24 and engageable there-' with when the plate 25 is moved upwardly in a manner to be described. When such engagement of the faces 24 and 23 takes place, the lever arms l6 and i1 are locked together for movement as a unit, under which conditions manual steering is effected, as will become apparent. In its lower end, the plate 25 is provided with an upwardly converging recess 30 for a purpose to be described.

Upward and downward movement of the plate 25 is effected by a small fluid pressure motor shown in Figures 1 and 2 and indicated as a whole by the numeral 3|. This motor is preferably operated from the same source of pressure fluid as the steering motor to be described, and

in the present instance has been shown as a which is clamped a diaphragm 34 urged upwardly by a spring 35. The upper casing section 32 is vented to the atmosphere as at while a vacuum pipe 31 leads to the lower casing section 33. When pressure is balanced above and below the diaphragm 34 the spring 35 maintains the diaphragm 34 in its uppermost position and when vacuum is present in the lower casing section 33, the diaphragm 34 moves downwardly against the tension of the spring 35.

The plate 25 is provided with an offset upward extension 38 at its upper end and this extension is connected to the lower end of a rod 39, the upper end of this rod extending through a bearing 40 in the bottom of the motor 3| and being connected at its upper extremity to the diaphragm 34. The motor 3| is preferably secured to an upwardly extending arm 4| which -may be formed integral with the lever arm l1. Accordingly it will be apparent that the motor 3| and lever arm I! always move as a unit, and accordingly the rod 39 will remain stationary in any stationary position of the plate 25.

The vacuum line 31 is preferably in theform of a rubber or other flexible hose to permit movement of the motor 3| when the steering arm I1 swings with the shaft i5. A valvebody 42 (Figures 1 and 6) is connected in the line 31, this line leading to one branch 43 of a T 44, another branch 45 of this T being suitably connected to the intake manifold of the vehicle engine (not shown). The valve body 42 is provided with a passage 46 therethrough controlled by a valve 41 vertically slidable in the valve body and provided with a groove 48 opening communication through the line 31 when the valve is in its upper position. A solenoid 49 is, energizable in a manner to be described to move the valve 41 to its open position and a spring 50 normally urges the valve downwardly to closed position. When the valve 41 is in its lower position, the vacuum line 31 leading to the motor 3| is bled to the atmosphere through a groove 5| in the valve and through a bleed port 52 the valve body 42.

A motor indicated asa whole by. the numeral 53 and illustrated in detail in' Figure 4 serves as the source of power for providing power steering when desired. The motor comprises a cylinder 54 having an integral head 55 at one end and a removable preferably die cast head 56 ati its other end, the head 56 having a central frus tro-conical portion 51 to receive a portion of the piston of the motor, to be described. The head 56 is further provided withan axial bearing 58. The head 55 is provided with an extended lug 59 having an opening 60 to receive a suitable pivot pin, carried by any desired stationary portion of the vehicle for pivotally supporting the motor 53.

A preferably die cast piston 6| is reciprocable in the cylinder 54 and is provided in its right hand end as viewed in Figure 4 with a recess 62 forming a pressure chamber to be referred to later. A cap 63 is arranged over such face of the piston and is similarly recessed to provide a pressure chamber 64, also to be referred to later. A flexible diaphragm 65 is clamped between the piston body 6| and cap 63 to be influenced by plate 25 is in its lower positionas shown in Figure 3, the pin directly engages the wedge faces of the notch 80 to transmit movement to the lever I1.

A valve indicated as a whole by the numeral 12 is slidable in the inner end of the tubular piston rod 51. The end of the valve adjacent the diaphragm 65 is solid and is connected thereto by a screw 13 as shown in Figure 4. The valve is provided with an annular elongated groove 14,

adapted to communicate with either of a pair of ports 15 or 18 formed in the tubular piston rod 61. As will be referred to later," atmospheric pressure is always present in the groove 14. The valve is provided ;with an'axial recess 11, which is always connected to the source of partial vacuum, as will be described. and this recess communicates through a port 18 with an annular groove 19. This groove is normallyin restricted 4 communication with the port 18, and it will be noted that the left hand end of thevalve in Figure 4 normally aiiords restricted communication between the port 15 and the" vacuum space at the adjacent end of the valve, this space being in constant communication with the recess 11 and being connected to the source of partial vacuum in a manner to be described. With the parts in the position shown, therefore, the ,piston 6| is normally vacuum suspended in the cylinder 54. either direction will cut off one of the ports 15 or 16 from the source of vacuum and connect it to the atmosphere through the groove 14, whereupon the pistontl will move in one direction or the other.

The port 15 communicates with the right hand end of the cylinder 54 as viewed in Figure 4 through apassage 80 in the piston 5|, this passage extending through the diaphragm 65 and cap 83, as shown in Figure 4. The face of the piston 6i adjacent the diaphragm is grooved as at '8I to maintain in the chamber 62 a pressure identical with the pressure in the right hand end of the cylinder 54. The port 16 communicates with the left hand end of the cylinder 54 through a passage 02 which leads into a passage. 88, one

end of which communicates with the left hand end of the cylinder 54 and the other end of which communicates with the. chamber 64 through a groove 84 formed in the adjacent face of the cap 88.

A tube 85 is arranged within the piston rod 61. This tube is provided at oneend with an annular flange 86 and has its other end fitted into a ring 81 in the rod 61. Thus the tube 85 and piston rod 81 cooperate to form an air space 88 closed at its ends by the flange 88 and ring 81. This space communicates with the annular air space 14 of the valve through a passage 88 formed inthe projecting portion 86 of the piston 6 I (Figure 4).

A rubber or similar longitudinally extensible and collapsible boot 90 has one end fitted to the bearing 58 and its other end fitted to the head- 88 and forms an air spacetherein communicating with the space 88 through aport 9|. The bearing 58 is provided with an air passage 92 ina' Slight'movement of the valve in the tube 85 and is'of smaller diameter thanthe interior of the tube 85 to form a vacuum space 91 communicating with'the space between the a tube 85 and the adjacent end of the valve 12, it consequently also communicating with the axial recess 11 in the valve'. The left hand end of the rod 95 as viewed in Figure 4 is slidable in a bearing opening 98 formed in the head 68 and a yoke 08 is formed on the free end of the rod 98 to receive a pin I00 mountedin the lower end of the lever I8. The vacuum space 91 communicates at its forward end with a vacuum space IOI around the rod .96 and within the head 88 and a nipple I02 communicates with the space I0I.- A rubber or otherflexible hose I08 (Figure 1) connec'ts the nipple I02 to the third branch I04 of the T 44. 4

One form of electrical control system for the apparatus is shown in Figure 6,- this system determining solely in accordance with vehicle speed whether the steering mechanism will operate manually or by power. Referring to the diagrammatic representation in Figure 6, the nuineral I05 designates the propeller shaftoi the vehicle-which, of coursegis connected to the driving wheels of the vehicle through the usual differential (not shown) and accordingly the rotational speed of the shaft I05 is always proportional to' the rotational speed of the rear wheels of the vehicle and consequently to the speed of movement of thevehicle." The shaft I05 is shown as being provided'with a bevel gear I06- driving a bevel pinion I01 mounted on a shaft I08. This shaft carries a bevelpinion I09 and the shaft I08 is preferably the driving shaft of 5 the speedometer, the latter being driven through the usual flexible shaft IIO mounted in a casing III.

The bevel pinion I09 drives a similar pinion H2 mounted on a shaft II8 which drives any desired type of governor H4. The governor carriesa resilient switch arm 5 engageable with v a contact IIB when the vehicle speed is below a predetermined-point, for example-ten miles an hour. Above such speedthe circuit between the switch arm H5 and contact I I6 is broken. The governor shaft is shown as being grounded at I I1 and the contact- 6 is connected to 'a wire 8 leading to one terminal of the solenoid 49-.

The other terminal of the solenoid is connected by a wire H9 to a source of current I20, such as the vehicle battery, and the other terminal'of the battery is grounded as at I2I.

In order. to enable the operator to manually control the system to provide for power steering under conditions in which it otherwise would not occur, amanually operable switch I22 is prowire I28 the other end of which is connected to acontact I24 grounded as at I25.

' The-system illustrated in Figure! provides for power steering in low and reverse gears with manlial steering taking place under all other conditions, and accordingly it will be apparent u that this system provides for power-steering when X A valve operating rod 96 is arranged within vided. This switch is connected to one end ofa the wire 'I I8. The switch I22 is enagageable with the vehicle is Stationary or movingslowiy with the gear set in low or reverse gears. In this system the numeral I25 designates a conventional transmission having a low and reverse gear shift rail I21 and a second and high gear shift rail I25. The shift rail I21 is grounded through the-transmission as at I29 and is provided with a fork I30 engageable with a switch arm I3I to move the latter into engagement with either of a pair of contacts I32 or I33, depending upon whether the shift is made into low or reverse gear.

One terminal of the solenoid 49 is connected by a wire I34 to the contact I32, and a wire I35 is connected between the wire I34 and the contact.

I33. The other terminal of the solenoid 49 is connected by a wire I36 to one terminal of a source I31, the other terminal of which is grounded as at I351 A wire I39 connects the wire I34 to a manually operable switch I40 engageable with a contact I grounded as at I42. The switch I40 provides for manual selection of power steering at the option of the operator when the mechanism otherwise would be conditioned for manual steering.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows:

Assuming that the vehicle is at a standstill or moving at a speed below a predetermined speed, for example ten miles per hour, and assuming that the apparatus isbeing controlled by the electrical system in Figure 6, the switch arm II will be in engagement with the contact 5 to complete a circuit from the source I20 through wire II9, through the solenoid 49, wire 5, contact H5 and switch arm H5, and thence back to the source through grounds Ill and I2I. Accordingly the solenoid 49 will be energized and the valve 41 will be moved to the position shown and the port 15. At the same time, the vacuum groove 19 will be opened to a greater degree of communication with the port 15. The latter port communicates with the left hand end of the cyl- 'I5 and passage 50. Accordingly, the piston 5| will start to move toward the left as viewed in Figure 4, which is' the same direction of movement which is being imparted to the valve I2.

in Figure 6 opening communication between the bottom of the motor 3|, and the intake manifold through the T 44. In this connection it will be noted that the vacuum line I03 is always open to the intake manifold and accordingly the valve mechanism of the motor 53 is always connected to the intake manifold, it being necessary only to control the line 31 to provide the desired results, as will become apparent.

with the partial vacuum established beneath the diaphragm 34, atmospheric pressure above the diaphragm will move it downwardly and thus move the plate 25 to the position shown in Figure 3, the inclined faces 30 coming substantially into contact with the pin I0 and preventing movement of this pin with respect to the plate 25 and consequently with respect to the lever I'I. Movement of the piston of the motor thus will transmit movement through the plate 25 to the lever I] when the motor is energized. Assuming that the operator now turns the steering wheel I2, this action will rotate the shaft I5 (Figures 3 and 5). to tum'the lever arm I5, which is keyed to the shaft I5. The lever arm I! is free on the shaft I5 and the substantial clearance between the stop pads 23 (Figure 3) and the lever I'I permits appreciable movement of the lever I5 without transmitting movement to the lever arm IT. This appreciable independent movement is utilized for operating the valve mechanism. Y

The'lower end of the lever arm I5 is connected by the yoke 99 to the valve rod 95. Assuming that turning movement of the lever arm I 5 moves the valve 12 to the left as viewed in Figure 4, the left hand end of the valve will close communication between the port 15 and the vacuum space adjacent the end of the valve and will open communication between the atmospheric space 14 Whenever movement of the valve is arrested by stopping the turning movement of the steering wheel, the piston 5| will move the additional slight distance necessary to restore the normal position of the parts as shown in Figure 4, the port 15 being cracked to the vacuum space adjacent the end of the valve, thus exhausting air from the right hand end of the cylinder until it balances the pressure in the left hand end of the cylinder. This result takes place very promptly when movement of the valve is stopped, and movement of the piston will be arrested at the desired point.

As previously stated movement of the piston 5| is transmitted through the tubular piston rod 51 to the head 63 and thence through the pin 10 (Figures 3 and 5) to the plate 25 to swing the lower end of the lever arm I! and thus move the drag, link 22. Thus the motor accomplishes through power. the movement of the drag link usually effected by the manual force exerted by the operator. The diaphragm 55 (Figure 4) within the motor piston provides the operator with feel, this mechanism resisting turning movement of the steering wheel I2 to a degree proportional to the resistance encountered by the motor 53 'in moving the drag link 22. The pressure in the right hand end of the cylinder 54 (Figure 4) is duplicated in the chamber 52 through the groove 5| while the reduced pressure in the left. hand end of the cylinder 54. under the conditions described, is duplicated in the chamber 54. With the piston 5| moving toward the left. therefore, the same pressures per square inch which affect the piston 5| will reversely affect the diaphragm 55, tending to move it to the right while the operator is moving the valve 12 toward the left. The diaphragm being of much smaller area than the piston, the diiferen-' tial pressure on the diaphragm which the operator must overcome is very materially less than but none the less proportional to the differential pressures affecting the piston 5|.

The total differential pressure affecting the-piston 5| will depend upon resistance encountered -by the piston in operating the drag link 22. It

will be apparent that the greater the effort which must be exerted by'the piston 5|, the greater will be'the tendency of the piston 5| to move relatively slowly. Accordingly there is less tendency for the piston to satisfy the partial vacuum at one side thereof, thus resulting in a drop in pressure in the vacuum end of the cylinder. The less the resistance encountered by the piston 5|, the greater will be its tendency to move rapidly to tend to satisfy the partial vacuum, thus tending to limit the reduction in pressure in the vacuum end of the cylinder. Thusit will be apparent that differential pressures on opposite sides of the piston 5| will depend upon resistances encountered by the piston in performing its intended function, and since the pressures per square inch affecting the diaphragm 55 are identical with the pressures per square inch affecting the'piston 5|, the operator will feel through the steering wheel a resistance proportional to the resistaiice encountered by the motor in turning the front wheels of the vehicle.

-When the valve 12 is moved toward the right as viewed in Figure 4 the identical operation will occur except for a reversal of pressures in the ends of the cylinder 54 and in the chambers 62 and 64. The groove 19 will move out of communication with the port 15 to cutoff the latter from the source of vacuum andthe atmospheric groove 14 will come ihto'com-munication with the port 18 to admit air into the left hand end of the cylinder through passage 82. At the same time, the port 15 will be opened to a greater extent to the vacuum space adjacent the end of the valve to exhaust air from the right hand end of the cylinder 54. Accordingly the piston 61 will move to the right while atmospheric pressure in;

the chamber 64 will oppose movement of the diaphragm S5 and accordingly movement of the valve 12 toan extent proportional to differential pressures in the ends of the motor. Whenever movement of the valve 12 is stopped, a slight additional movement of the piston will again restore the relative normal position of the valve 12 and ports 15 and 16 to arrest motion of the piston 6 I.

Accordingly it will be apparent that a follow-up action is provided in either direction of movement of the valve 12 and the ports 15 and 16, the.

piston always moving a distance corresponding to the turning movement of the steering wheel and then automatically stopping. The fluid pressure opposing movement of the diaphragm 65 prevents free and loose movement of the valve 12 creep is immediately overcome by the closing of one or the other of the ports 15 or 16 to the source of vacuum to prevent the further exhaustion of air from the end of the cylinder toward which the piston 6| is creeping. Any slight additional tendency to creep, due to the placing of additional turning strains onthe front wheels, for

to its upper position with the wedge faces :2 9,en-

gaging the corresponding faces 24 of the stop pads 23. Under such conditions the lever arms l6 and l1 will be locked together for movement, as a unit. Turning movement of the steering wheel will then operate the lever arm IS in the manner previously described and the turning movement of this arm will be-transmitted directly to the lever arm I1 to manually actuate the drag link 22. With the system shown in Figure 6, therefore, manual steering will take place at all vehicle speeds above the speed at which the switch arm 5 initially leaves the contact I I6.

With the plate 25 (Figure'3) moved to its up:- ward position the pin 10 is free for relative movement in the slot 1| of the lever arm I1. As manual operation of the lever arm l6 takes place this movement is transmitted to the lever arm l1, as

previously'stated, and at the same time the lever arm 16 will operate the valve rod 96 (F'igure' 4) in the same manner as for power actuation. Since there is a slight lagg g in the operation of the piston 6| with respect to the valve 12, it

' will be apparent that it is necessary to move the example, when passing over rough or grooved surfaces, will immediately open communication between the atmospheric groove 14 and the end of the cylinder toward which the piston is creeping to build up whatever differential pressure is necessary to arrest movement of the piston.

The power operation of the steering mechanism eliminates the necessity for providing a high After the vehicle has gotten underway and itsspeed reaches the predetermined point referred to, the governor 4 will break the circuit across the switch arrn H5 and contact H6, whereupon the solenoid-49 will be deenergized and the valve 41 will drop to closed position with the groove 5| (Figure 6) venting the vacuum line 31 to the control motor 3|. The spring 35 will thereupon move the diaphragm 34 upwardly to move the plate 25 valve 12 a slight distance before the piston 6| starts to operate.

The provision of the slot 1! of the piston 6| to lag behind movement of the lever arm-l1. However, after this arm has moved a short distance with the lever arm iii, the valve 12 will move with respect to the piston 6| to build up differential pressure in one end or the other of the cylinder 54 to cause the piston to follow-up with respect to the valve mechanism. This follow-up operation starts to take place and continues throughout manual operationof the steering mechanism without movement of the pin Ill (Figure 3) a sufiicient distance to reach either end of the slot 1|. Accordingly in the manual operation of the mechanism the constant communication provided between the valve mechanism 12 and the source of partial vacuum permits the operation of the valve 12 in the same manner as for power steering and the piston BI and the elements connected thereto will follow-up with respect to the lower end of the lever l1 without acting as a drag thereon. Thus the mechanism will operate in exactly the same manner as conventional manual steering mechanisms without the operator having, to exert the substantial additional force necessary to move the piston 6| in the cylinder 54. The operation of the system shown in Figure 'i does not afiect the operation of any of the mechanical parts of the apparatus but merely is an alternative system for determining when the apparatus will provide power steering and when it will provide manual steering. Instead of energizing and deenergizing the solenoid 49 in accordance with vehicle speeds, this solenoid is energized and deenergized in accordance with the gear ratio being employed in the transmission. When the shift rail I21 is shifted into low or reverse gear, which normally is done when'the vehicle is stationary, the circuit for the solenoid 49 will be completed across the switch arm BI and either of the contacts [3202'v I33. Accordingly when the vehicle is stationary or is moving slowly in low or reverse gears, power steering, will be provided, and under all other gear conditions steering will take place manually. 7 Y

The present apparatus, in accordance with the foregoing description, overcomes th principal existing difliculty with present day steering mechanisms, namely, the very substantial force necessary in moving a vehicle into and out of a limited permits movement'a,

parking space. However, the length of life or the mechanism is very materially increased by the fact that it operates under a load only a small proportion of the time when the vehicle is stationary or moving at low speeds.. Moreover the system permits the use of a relatively powerful motor as is desirable under the conditions in which the present apparatus is intended to operate as a power steering mechanism. A motor sufiiciently powerful for operation under such condition is motor. For example, any suitable portion of the vehicle clutch or transmission, or any driven element between the transmission and the driven wheels of the vehicle, or the rotary action of the vehicle wheels, etc., may be utilized for this purpose.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement or parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the-invention or the scope of the subjoined claims. I

I claim:

1. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a power device having mechanical connection with said motion transmitting means, a control mechanism for said power device operable by the steering wheel and by the power device and constructed and arranged to cause a follow-up operationof the power device with respect to the steering wheel upon any tum-.

ing movement of the latter, and means constructed and arranged for selective operation for directly transmitting manual movement of the steering wheel to said motion transmitting means, or for rendering the steering wheel ineffective for manually actuating said motion transmittin means while rendering the latter operable by said power device.

2. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel andmotion transmitting means'for transmitting turning movements to the dirigible wheels or the vehicle, a power device, a follow-up control mechanism for said power device for causing it to partake of a follow-up action with respect to the steering wheel upon movement thereof, and means constructed and arranged to be selectively operative under different conditions for mechanically connecting the steering wheel to said motion transmitting means to effect manual steering of the vehicle, or to connect said power device to said-motion transmitting means to effect power steering of the vehicle.

3. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting turning movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a, power device, a follow-up control mechanism for said power device for causing it to partake of a followup action-with respect to the steering wheel upon movement thereof, motion transmitting connections between the steering wheel and said power device and said motion transmitting means, said motion transmitting connections including a, control device for providing lost motion between the steering wheel and the motion transmitting means .7

or between said power device and the motion transmittingmeans, and means constructed and arranged to be automatically operative under different predetermined conditions for rendering said control device operative for preventing lost motion between said motion transmitting means and either the steering wheel or said power device to provide for either manual or power steering.

4. In a'steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a fluid pressure motor having control valve means operable by the steering wheel, and means con.-

structed and arranged for operation under different conditions for utilizing .diflerentiai pressures in said motor-for actuating said motion transmitting means independently of the steering wheel or for connecting said motion transmitting means to the steering wheel for direct manual operation thereby.

5. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a fluid pressure motor having mechanical connection with said motion transmitting means, a control valve mechanism for said motor operable by the steering wheel, and means constructed and arranged for operation under diflerent conditions for directly transmitting manual movement of the steering wheel to said motion transmitting means while rendering said motor ineffective for mov ing the latter, or for rendering the steering wheel ineffective for manually actuating said motion.

transmitting means while rendering the latter operable by said motor.

6. In a steering mechanism fora motor vemitting means for transmitting turning movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a fluid pressure motor, a follow-up control valve mechanism for said motor for causing it to partake of a follow-up action with respect to the steering wheel upon movement thereof, and

means constructed and arranged to be operative under diflferent conditions for mechanically connecting the steering wheel to said motion transmitting. means to eifect manual steering of the vehicle, or to connect said motor to said motion transmitting means to eflect power steering of the vehicl 7. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting. means for transmitting turning movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a

fluid pressure motor, a follow-up control valve mechanism for said motor for causing it to partake of a follow-up action with respect to the steering wheel upon movement thereof, motion transmitting connections between the steering wheel and said motor and said motion transmitting means, a device for providing lost motion between the steering wheel and the motion transmitting means or between said motor and the motion transmitting means, and means constructed and arranged to be automatically operative under predetermined conditions for rendering said device operative for preventing lost motionbetween said motion transmitting means and either the steering wheel or said motor to provide for either manual or power steering.

8. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to' the dirigible wheels of .the vehicle,,a power device, alever mechanism connected to mitting means for transmitting turning movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a

. pair of levers one positivelyoperable by the steering .wheel and the other positively connected to said power device and to the steering wheel and to the motion transmitting means, and means constructed and arranged for rendering saidlever mechanism selectively efl'ective for actuating said said motion transmitting means, one of said levers having stop means for limiting relative movement of said levers with respect to each other, a power device having a lost motion connection with the second named lever, a controlmechanlsm for the power device operable upon turning movement oi" the steering wheehand a device constructed and arranged to selectively coopmotion transmitting means by said power device power device, a lever mechanism connected to' said power device and to the steering wheel and to the motion transmitting means, a follow-up control mechanism for said power device con structed and arranged for operation by the steering wheel through a portion of said lever mechanism and by said power device to cause the latter to partake of a follow-up action with respect to movement of the steering wheel, and means constructed and arrang d for rendering said lever mechanism selectively eflective for actuating said motion transmitting means by said power dew'ce or by the steering wheel, each independently of the other.

10. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting-means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a power device, a lever mechanism connected to said power device and to the steering wheel and to the motiontransmitting means, a follow-up control mechanism for said power device constructed and arranged for operation by the steering wheelthrough a portion of said lever mechanism and by said power device to causethe latter to partake of a follow-up action with respect to movement of the steering wheel, a portion of said lever mechanism being connected to the motion transmitting means, said lever mechainsm having lost motion connection with said power device and with the steering wheel, and means constructed and arranged for rendering said lost motion connections selectively inoperative to provide either manual or power operation of said portion of said lever mechanism to actuate said motion transmitting means.

11. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion trans- 'mitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a pair of levers one positively operable by .the steering wheel and the other positively connected to said.

motion transmitting means, apower device having lost motion connection with the second named lever, a control mechanism for the power device operable upon turning movement of the steering Jwheel, said levers having lost motion crate with said stop means or. with said lost motion connection to mpectively lock said levers against relative movement for the manual actuation of said motion transmittingmeans or for positivel connecting said the second named leverfor the power actuation ofsaid motion transmitting means.

13. In a steering mechanism for a motorvehlcle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheelsoi the vehicle, a shaft mechanically connected to the steering wheel to be operated thereby, a pair of levers .mounted on said shaft, one fixed to said shaft and the other free thereon and positively connected to said motion transmitting means, a power device connected to said second named lever, means for utilizing turning movement of said shaft for actuating said power device, and means for positively connecting-said levers together for the manual actuation of the second named lever and of said motion transmitting means.

14. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting steering move- ,ments to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a

shaft mechanically connected to the steering wheel to be operated thereby, a pair of levers mounted on said shaft, one fixed to said shaft and the other free thereon and positively connected to said motion transmitting means, a

- power device connected to said second named lever, a control mechanism for saidpower device operable upon turning movement of said shaft whereby manual movement of the latter causes actuation of said power device to actuate the sec,- ond named lever and said motion transmitting means, and means for positively connecting said connectionwith each other, and a device selecxtively op'erable for positively connecting said levers together for the manual actuationof said motion transmitting means.

15. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting steeringmovements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a shaft mechanically connected to the steering wheel to. be operated thereby, a pair of levers mounted on said shaft, one fixed to said shaft and the other free thereon and positively connected to said motion transmitting means, a power de-, vice connected to said second named lever, a follow-up control mechanism for said power device comprising a pair of elements one movable in accordance with operation of the powerdevice and the other operable by'said shaft whereby said second named lever par-takes of movement corresponding to manual movement of the first shaft mechanically connected to the steering wheel to be operated thereby, a pair of levers lever, a follow-up control mechanism for said power device comprising a pair of elements one movable in accordance with operation of the power device and the other operable by said shaft whereby said second named lever partalres of movement corresponding to manual movement of the first named lever, and means for positively connecting said levers together for the manual actuation of said motion transmitting means, said last named means being constructed and arranged, upon'operation thereof, to render said power device ineffective for transmitting movement to the second named lever.

17. In a steering mechanism fora motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a shaft rotatable by the steering wheel, a pair of lever arms mounted on said shaft, one fixed to said shaft to turn therewith and the other free on said shaft and positively connected at a point remote therefrom to said motiontransmitting means, said lever arms being constructed and arranged for limitedrelative turning movement, a power device having lost motion connection with the second named leverarm, a follow-uncontrol mechanism for said power device having a pair of elements one operable by the first named lever arm and the other in accordance with move-- ment of the second named lever arm, and a device carried by one of said lever arms and constructed and arranged for selective operation for positively connecting said lever arms together for the manual actuation of said motion transmitting means, or for positively connecting said power device to said second named lever arm.

18. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting steering move-- I ments to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a shaft rotatable by the steering wheel, a pair of lever arms mounted on said shaft, one fixed to said shaft to turn therewith and the other free on said shaft and positively connected at a point remote therefrom to said motion transmitting means, said lever arms being constructed and arranged for limited relative turning movement, and a differential pressure motor having a movable element provided with lost motion connection with said second named lever arm, a followupvcontrol valve mechanism having a pair of elements one operable by said first named leverarm and the other by said movable element, and a device selectively operable for positively connecting said lever arms to each other for the manual operation of said motion transmitting means, or for positively connecting said movable element to the second named lever for the power actuation of said motion transmitting means.

19. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehlcle'having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a shaft rotatable by the steering wheel, a pair of lever arms mounted on said shaft in parallel planes, one .of said lever arms being fixed to said shaft and the other being free on said shaft and positively connected ata point remote there- 2,856,499 .ments to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a

from to said motion transmitting means, a pair of lugs carried by one lever arm and projecting across opposite edges of the other lever arm in spaced relation thereto to 'provide for. limited relative movement between said 'lever arms, a

Y power device having lost motion connection with the second named lever arm, means for causing actuation of said power device upon turning movement of the steering wheel, and amember mounted on one of said lever arms and selectively operable to engage said lugs to prevent relative movement between said lever arms, or to effect a positive connection between said power' device and the second named lever arm.

20. In a, steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a

shaft rotatable by the steering wheel, a pair of lever arms mounted on said shaft in parallel planes, one of said lever arms beingiixed'to said shaft and the other being free on said shaft and positively connecf ed at a point remote therefrom to'said motion transmitting means, a pair of lugs carried by one lever arm and projecting across opposite edges of the other lever arm in spaced relation thereto to provide for limited relative movement between said lever arms, a power device having lost motion connection with the second named lever arm, means for causing actuation of said power device upon turning movement of the steering wheel, a member mounted on one of said lever arms and selectively operable to engage said lugs to prevent relative movement between said lever arms, or to effect a positive connection between said power device and the second named lever arm, and an auxiliary power device for selectively operating said member.

21. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a motor, a device constructed and arranged for selective operation for rendering said motor operative for moving said motion transmitting means independently of the steering wheel or for connecting the motion transmitting means to the steering wheel for direct manual operation thereby, and an auxiliary motor for selectively operating said device.

, 22. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting turning movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a motor, a follow-up control mechanism for causing said motor to partake of a follow-up action with'respect to the steering wheel, a device constructed and arranged to be selectively operated for mechanically connecting the steering wheel to said motion transmitting means to effect manual steering of the vehicle, or for connecting said motor to said motion transmitting means to effect power steering of the vehicle, and an auxiliary mitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a fluid pressure motor, a follow-up control valve mechanism for causing said motor to pa'take of a follow-up action with respect to' the steering wheel, a device constructed and arranged to be selectively operated for utilizing differential pressuresin said motor for actuating said motion 24. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel-and motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a

' fluid pressure motor, a follow-up control valve mechanism for causing said motor to .partake of a follow-up action with respect to the steering wheel, a device selectively movable between two positions and cdnstructed and arranged to be operative in the respective positions for utilizing differential pressures in said motor for actuating said motion transmitting means and for establishing mechanical connection between the latter and the steering wheel for direct manual opera-'- tion thereby, and an auxiliary'motor having a movable element connected to said device, said auxiliary motor having means biasing said-device I to one of said two positions, and being provided with a pressure chamber for connection to a source of pressure differential for moving said device to its other position.

25. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a

shaft rotatable by the steering wheel, a pair of lever arms mounted on said shaft, one fixedto said. shaft and the other free thereon and positively connected at a point remote therefrom to .said motion transmitting means, a pal? of lugs.

carried by one lever arm .and projecting across the edges of the other lever arm to provide for mitting means whereby the latter willbe manlimited relative movement between said lever arms, a fluid. pressure motor having a movable structure including a rod, a pin carried by said rod, the second named lever arm being provided with a slot receiving said pin to provide lost motion connection between said pin and the second named lever arm, a control valve mechanism for said motor operable upon turning movement of the steering wheel, and a, locking device movable between two positions, said device being constructed and arranged to engage said lugs when in one position to fix said lever arms against relative movement. and to engage said pin when in the other position to positively connect said Pin to said second named lever.

26. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmittingmeans for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a shaft rotatable by the steering wheel, a pair of lever arms mounted on said shaft, one fixed to said shaft and the other free thereon-and positivelyconnected at a point remote therefrom to said motiontransmitting means, a pair of lugs carried by one lever arm and projecting across the edges of the other lever arm to provide for limited -relative movement between said lever arms, a fluid pressure motor having a movable structure including a rodl a pin carried by said relative movement, and to engage said pin when in the other position to positively connect said pin to said second named lever arm, and an auxiliary motor for moving said lockingdevice' between said two positions.

2'7. Ina steering mechanismior a motor,ve--

hicle having a steering wheel, motiontransmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, and vehiclepropelling driving means, a power device, followup control means for said power device operable under any conditions by the steering wheel, and control means constructed andarranged for operation under predetermined conditions of the driving means for positively connecting said power device to said motion transmitting means and under other conditions of the driving means for providing positive connection between said steering wheel and said motion transmitting means whereby thel'atter will be; manually (op-- erable by the steering wheel.

28.-I n a steering mechanism I01" a motor vehicle having a steering wheel, motion transmit-' ting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, and vehiclepropelling driving means, a fluid pressure motor having a follow-up controlvalve mechanism operable under any conditions by the steering wheel, and control means constructed and ar ranged for operation under predetermined conditions of the driving means for positively connecting said motor to said motion transmitting means and under other conditions of the driving means for establishing positive connection betweenthe steering wheel and said motion transually operable by the steering wheel.

29. ha steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel, motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle,- and vehicle-propelling driving means, a power device, follow-up control means 'for said power device operable under any conditions by the-steering wheel, control means constructed and arranged for selective operation for mechanically connecting said power device to said motion transmit-- ting means orfor establishing positive connection between the steering wheel andsaid motion transmitting means whereby the latter .will be manually. operable by the steeringwheel, and

means constructed and arranged for selectively operating said control means in accordance with hicle having a steering wheel, motion transmitting. means for transmitting steering movements to thedirigible wheels of the vehicle, and vehicle propelling driving means, "a fluid pressure motor,

a control valve mechansm for said motor constructed and arranged to provide a follow-up rod, the second named lever am being provided action of said motor with respect to turning movement of the steering wheel under any conselectively operable for ditions, control means establishing connection between said motor and said motion transmitting means or for establishing connection between the steeringwheel and said motion transmitting means whereby the latter will be manually operable by the steering wheel, and

rendering said control means selectively operable in accordance with two'difterent conditions of,

meansconstructed and arranged for hicle having a steering wheel, motion transmittransmitting means, a power device havinglost motion connection with the second named lever,

a control mechanism for the power device op'erable upon turning movement of the steering wheel, said levers having lost motion connection with each other, a device selectively operable for positively connecting said levers to each other 1y connecting said lever arms together for the manual actuation of said motion transmitting means, and being movable to a second position for the manual actuation of said motion trans-g mitting means or for positively connecting said power device to said second named lever for the power actuation of said motion transmitting means, and control means constructed and arranged for operation under predetermined conditions of the driving means for selectively operating said device.

32. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel, motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, and vehiclepropelling driving means, a pair of levers one positively operable by the steering wheel and the other positively connected to said motion transmitting means, said levers having interstructed and arranged for selective operation to fix said leverstogether or to positively connect the movable element of said motor with said second named lever, and control means constructed and arrangedfor operation in accordance with two different conditions of the driving means for selectively operating said device.

33. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel, motion transmittin means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, and vehicle-propelling driving means, a shaft having mechanical connection with the. steering wheel to be rotated thereby, a pair of levers mounted in parallel planes on said shaft, one lever being fixed to said shaft and the other being free thereon and positively connected to said motion'transmitting means, a power device connected to said second named lever, means for utilizing turning movement of said shaft for eflecting actuation of said power device, means for positively connecting said levers together for the manual actuation of the second named lever and of said motion transmitting means, and means constructed and arranged to be operable upon a given condition of said driving means for rendering said last named means operative.

34. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel, motion transmitting for positively connecting said power device to said second named lever arm, and means constructed and arranged to be operable when said driven shaft is rotating above a predetermined speed for moving said device to said first position.

35. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel, motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels'of the vehicle, and a transmission, a shaft rotatable by the steering wheel,

a pair of levers mounted on said shaft, one fixed on said shaft and the other free thereon and positively connected to said motion transmittin means, said levers being constructed and arranged for limited relative turning movement, a fluidpressure motor having a movable element provided with lost motion connection with said second named lever, a follow-up control valve mechanism for said motor having a pair of elements one operable by the first named lever and the otherin accordance with movement of the movable element of said motor, a device carried by one of said levers movable to one position for positively connecting said levers together for the manual actuation of said motion transmitting means, and movable to a second position for positively connecting the movable element of said motor to said second named lever, said device being biased to one of said positions, and means constructed and arranged for operation in I accordance with gear ratio conditions in the transmission for moving said device to its other position, p 36. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a

power device, means for controlling said power device by turning movements of the steering wheel, and means constructed and arranged for selectively connecting said motion transmitting means to either said power device or to the steering wheel.

3'7. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering 'wheel and motion transmitting means for transmitting steering movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a

.power device, means for controlling said power device by turning movements of the steering wheel, means constructed and arranged for selectively connecting said motion transmitting means to either said power device or to the steering wheel, and means operable when said power device is connected to said motion transmitting means for resisting turning movement of the steering wheel to a degree proportional to resistance encountered by said power device in operating said motion transmitting means.

38. In a steering mechanism for a motor vehicle having a steering wheel and motion transmitting means 'for transmitting turning movements to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a power device, a follow-up control mechanism for said power device for causing it to partake of a followsup action with respect to the steering wheel upon movement thereof, motion transmitting connections between the steering wheel and said power device and said motion transmitting means, said motion transmitting connections including a control device for providing lost motion between the steering wheel and the motion transmitting means or between said power device and the motion transmitting means, and selectively operable means for rendering said control device ments to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a

fluid pressure motor, a follow-up control valve mechanism for said motor for causing it to partake of a follow-up action withrespect to the steering wheel upon movement thereof, motion transmitting connections between the steering wheel and said motor and said motion transmitting means, a device for providing lost motion between the steering wheel and the motion transmitting means or between said motor and the motion transmitting means, and selectively operable means for rendering said device operative for preventing lost motion between said motion transmitting means and either the steering wheel or said motor to provide for either manual or power steering. v

GEORGE TUCKER SMITH. 

